Build a dynamic learning ecosystem for MLS partners and organizations
Learning in business today is becoming increasingly complex. Global companies in particular are under increasing pressure to create agile, scalable, and impactful learning ecosystems with multiple vendors, rising costs, increased management responsibilities, and changing expectations. As a result, traditional learning models and systems built on siled content and outsourced expertise with minimal visibility are no longer relevant. Now is the time for companies to take their learning ecosystem to the next level with the help of a managed learning services (MLS) partner. In this article, we’ll explain what MLS is, why traditional MLS models aren’t enough, and the key benefits businesses can enjoy by using managed learning services.
What are managed learning services?
Managed learning services refers to the process by which companies partner with experienced providers of training content to help them manage part or all of their learning and development (L&D) strategy. Services provided by MLS partners are not limited to management, but include training needs analysis, strategy design, training delivery, technology enablement, reporting, performance analysis, and more. As a result, such partnerships allow companies to completely outsource the planning, execution, and management of their L&D programs, and in some cases can even eliminate the need for an in-house L&D department altogether.
EI’s MLS Gestalt Framework
EI’s MLS model promises a complete L&D ecosystem that combines central governance with flexibility and agility to ensure a high-quality learning experience for every learner. To achieve this, it works based on the MLS Gestalt framework. This continuous feedback loop ensures that all parts of your L&D strategy work together to achieve the best possible results.
Its four pillars are:
Orchestration – This framework allows all training requests to be processed and accessed through a single interface. Curation – Vendors and the content they provide are constantly vetted and hand-picked to ensure the highest quality. Intelligence – Real-time dashboards with comprehensive data allow businesses to extract actionable insights that can initiate meaningful change. Optimization – The MLS Gestalt framework ensures that the management of all parts of the learning ecosystem, from suppliers and content modalities to learning demand, is continuously optimized to respond to changing needs and trends.
Why do legacy MLS models belong to the past?
Before we explain why you should choose to outsource your L&D strategy to an MLS partner, we first need to explain why the traditional or traditional MLS model is not sufficient to address the needs of the modern business environment. Here are some challenges that are making these models obsolete.
A fragmented vendor ecosystem splits the business in different directions, wastes budgets, creates learning content inefficiencies, and ultimately creates an inconsistent learning experience. Lack of visibility into factors such as individual costs, resource utilization, and ROI. This is usually due to poorly integrated reporting and dashboards. Silos of knowledge and content across different business units have led to the development of redundant training content and misaligned resources. Transactional outsourcing that focuses primarily on reassigning administrative tasks rather than driving meaningful change.
In general, it is essential for companies to have an MLS partner who understands how to deliver strategic value by integrating people, processes, and platforms into a coherent learning ecosystem, rather than taking on the bare minimum.
Benefits of the MLS model for global organizations
It’s most important to work with an MLS partner who understands what you need and what you’re trying to accomplish with your L&D strategy. Here are four of the many benefits that such collaboration can bring to your organization.
Increase efficiency and reduce costs
Managed learning services partners can help companies become more efficient and cost-effective in a number of ways compared to handling L&D in-house. You can streamline processes, eliminate mistakes, and reduce wasted resources, just to name a few. For example, MLS partners can simplify the coordination and management of multiple vendors, giving your team more time to focus on strategic tasks. Plus, you can stay true to your original L&D budget by ensuring only the content you need is created.
A consistent learning experience
Globally active organizations often need to provide training to multiple and diverse audiences simultaneously. However, everyone should receive the same quality and value of training, regardless of location. The MLS model simplifies this difficult task by providing a consistent learning experience that addresses your learning needs while adhering to your business goals and regulatory requirements. This ensures a robust culture and high comparable skill levels across all parts of the organization.
Enhanced reporting and ROI measurement
Perhaps one of the most beneficial benefits of using a managed learning services model is the ability to provide a consolidated view of all the metrics that are important to an organization’s L&D strategy. These include learner performance data such as engagement and module completion, cost per training program, time to competency, application of new knowledge in the workplace, and finally return on investment (ROI). Measuring ROI is high on a company’s list of priorities because it shows that a company’s efforts and resources are well spent. MLS partners can directly link learning investments to business outcomes and provide clear data on compliance, productivity, and revenue.
Access to innovation
The speed at which new learning trends and technologies emerge can be overwhelming for in-house L&D teams. However, an experienced MLS partner can ensure you have timely access to all the innovations you need, from AI-powered personalization to immersive learning experiences. They will understand how to seamlessly incorporate these new technologies into their existing L&D strategies to help achieve their learning goals. Not to mention, having an MLS partner bring innovation to your organization eliminates the need to spend additional time and resources training employees to implement, maintain, and update new systems.
Factors to consider before moving to MLS
There are many benefits to partnering with a company that provides managed learning services, but you can only reap these benefits if you make the right choice. Factors that will drive your decision include:
Balancing federated autonomy and centralized orchestration
Even though you’ve outsourced a large part of your business’ L&D strategy, it’s still essential to maintain some level of autonomy. Choose a partner that can provide flexibility to individual business units in different locations while ensuring compliance with global standards.
Ensure agility and scalability
Your business may be operating with a certain number of employees and customers at the moment, but that may not be the case in a few years. In fact, they should aim to grow through a partnership with MLS. Therefore, collaborators must be able to support and adapt to the organization’s growth and evolving needs.
Consider long-term effects
For this partnership to be successful in the long term, clear KPIs and accountability mechanisms must be established. This allows you to track performance, measure ROI, and continue to ensure stakeholder buy-in and support.
conclusion
In an age of connectivity and technological advancement, companies need to move beyond traditional e-learning products. Effectively engaging modern audiences requires building a comprehensive learning ecosystem that integrates all elements such as content, technology, strategy, and culture to create a seamless learning experience. To achieve that, you need to explore the world of managed learning service models. You can achieve all of this with the help of an MLS partner who can help your business move into a new era of learning.
Originally published at www.eidesign.net
Source link
